UK finally compliant on cage ban

Published 14/02/2012

The UK is finally free of cruel barren battery cages, 13 long years after they were banned throughout the EU.

The UK was one of 14 rogue states not to comply with the EU barren battery cage ban when it came into force on 1st January this year.

While the level of non-compliance was far lower than in countries like Italy and Spain, we were shocked by the revelation as the egg industry and the government had repeatedly said the country would be battery cage free on New Year's Day.

So we were delighted to hear the news from Defra that the UK is compliant as it means ministers can apply pressure on the 13 EU nations that are breaking the Laying Hens Directive without being accused of hypocrisy.

The Commission acts

The European Commission has begun proceedings against 13 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain.

But these proceedings can take some time and it is essential that as much pressure is put on non-compliant nations as possible while the Commission is taking legal action.

How can you help?

We're targeting the worst offending nations first in an attempt to help the maximum number of hens. Our enforcement campaign starts in Italy, which has appalling levels of compliance.

We're asking everyone to help the millions of hens still in battery cages in Italy by writing to the recently appointed Italian Health Minister. We need as many people as possible to take a few seconds to send an email from our website.